(Champaign-jm) – A teenager was hospitalized after a shooting in Champaign on Wednesday. In a news release, the Champaign Police Department said officers responded to the 1500 block of Mattis Avenue at 11:26 a.m. on March 4 after a report was made about a shooting with injuries. When police arrived on scene, they found a 15-year-old victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was brought to the hospital and remains in stable condition, police said. After investigating, officials learned that the teenager was walking near the intersection of Winston Drive and Summit Ridge Road when an unknown subject or subjects opened fire, injuring him. The shooting put Parkland College on Mattis on lockdown.
(Springfield-jm) – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 21 attorneys general and charitable regulators sent a letter to GoFundMe after reports the company plagiarized donation web pages for charities nationwide without the charities' knowledge or consent. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition said they shared concerns about GoFundMe's "misconduct" and called for "immediate remedial measures, such as providing proof the company has removed all unauthorized donation web pages." Raoul and the coalition claim GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for over 1.4 million charities without those charities' prior consent or knowledge.
(Springfield–jc) How does the amount of a proposed budget in the state of Illinois compare to the economic numbers. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, republican from Channahon says the spending exceeds the dollars in the door…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, republican from Channahon
(Paxton-jm) — Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident on I-57 Wednesday afternoon. The call came in just after 4:30 pm of a single vehicle that went off the road into the median near mile marker 262.
(Buckley–jc) Citizens of Buckley have a question on the ballot concerning support for a 16. Point 7 million dollar sewer treatment plant. The village has growth opportunities with the project including with a water hook up to the I-57 rest area and a proposed gas station. Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley says the former Adult book store property has been sold…
Village of Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana non-profit received an award to help protect children from sexual abuse. Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services or RACES, received a Darkness to Light Advocacy Award to help protect children through education, awareness, and community engagement. RACES is a community based non-profit with the mission to provide support to those affected by sexual trauma. It offers prevention and response services across Champaign, Douglas, Ford and Piatt counties. As a recipient of the award, RACES will be able to provide proven prevention training to adults throughout east central Illinois empowering them to protect the children in their lives and prevent child sexual abuse before it happens, according to the organization. RACES said it aims to train 100 community members in how to recognize, respond to, and prevent child sexual abuse.
(Chicago–jc) –State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, Democrat from Chicago, and the Citizens Utility Board are pushing legislation to help protect customers from bad energy deals. Du Buclet says House Bill 4313 would prevent predatory pricing by alternative electricity and gas suppliers. The measure would regulate supply rates, require a customer signature before automatic contract renewals and require suppliers to provide more accurate data to the Illinois Commerce Commission.
(Rantoul–jc) This is the second week of games, tournaments and more at the Rantoul Sports Complex on the village's west side. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says with concessions this year, its more choices and mobile ordering too…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton
(Bloomington–jc) – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin met with members of Bloomington-Normal One Voice to discuss economic development and infrastructure improvement projects in Central Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin and One Voice discussed local water infrastructure needs, including the Gridley Street Sewer Separation Project and the Waterlift Project to improve water access for parts of McLean County. The group also spoke about the need for a new passenger boarding bridge at the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
(Chicago–jc) Health care providers who serve low-income patients and the uninsured are accusing drug manufacturers of restricting access to certain low-cost medicines. Capitol News Illinois reports the federal 340-B program requires drug manufacturers to provide sharply discounted drugs to safety net clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and certain other providers who serve low-income and uninsured patients. Drug manufacturers deny that they are restricting access to those drugs but say the 340-B program needs broader reforms at the federal level.
A bill that would prohibit drug companies from restricting access to those drugs is awaiting final action in Springfield.
(Springfield-jm) — A bill in Springfield could prohibit health insurance companies from using artificial intelligence to code a health service lower than what is actually provided to patients. The plan states doctors should make all downcoding decisions and insurance companies would be required to notify providers if a service has been downcoded. Senate Bill 3114 would also ban insurers from downcoding in a discriminatory manner against doctors who routinely treat patients with complex health conditions.
(Piper City–jc) – Most villages, small towns and local cities are in the process of deciding what streets need repair or upgrades as Spring approaches. Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr says the pool of money in the motor tax funds for each municipality is limited so they have to prioritize where the funds will be best used…
Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr
(Kankakee County-jm) – Kankakee County’s Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are hosting a Weather Spotters Training session this evening at Kankakee Community College. Kankakee County EMA Director Becky Powell extends an invitation to those interested in the free program. The approximate 2-hour session begins at 6 pm. Registration is not required. The training is in the KCC auditorium.
(Vermilion County-jm) – Vermilion County residents are invited to attend the upcoming Vermilion County Candidate Q&A Forum this evening at 6:00pm located at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville. The forum will feature candidates for Vermilion County Sheriff which include Hugh Sands, John Thompson, and Mike Hartshorn. It will also feature two Vermilion County Treasurer candidates Jason Whaling and the incumbent Darren Duncan. The forum will be offering the voters an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to serve in these key county leadership roles.
(Washington–jc) –U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey explains a weather system developing this week is expected to bring increased moisture and perhaps active storms. Rippey says the positive is needed moisture for a large portion of the U-S-A…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad rippey
(Springfield–jc) – An Illinois lawmaker is praising the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump for repealing the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, calling the move a win for Illinois businesses — even as Attorney General Kwame Raoul warns the rollback ignores decades of law and climate science and threatens public health. 107th District State Representative. Brad Halbrook, Republican from Shelbyville, explained the federal move will ease economic pressure not just on employers but on families across the state.
SPRINGFIELD – 52nd district State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign advanced a measure that would modify how individuals with developmental disabilities are made aware of critical money-saving resources through the Senator Scott Bennett “ABLE” Program. Under Faraci’s measure, the Illinois Department of Human Services would be required to provide informational materials about the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program to all individuals receiving or applying for IDHS-funded disability services. This would include individuals who are placed in a facility licensed under specific Illinois statutes, such as the ID/DD Community Care Act – which governs immediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities.
(Gibson city–jc) A new Queen of Hearts board started last night in Gibson City. those with the Gibson City Restoration Committee say the new location for this round of fundraising is the Horsch Radish in downtown Gibson City. The Queen of Hearts jackpot rose to $5,175. Money raised goes to building restoration in the downtown area of Gibson City.
(Undated-jm) – March is Gambling Awareness Month, raising awareness about gambling addiction and promoting prevention. Sports betting apps, online casinos and lottery games make gambling more accessible, which increases the consequences. Experts say there are a few red flags that signal problem gambling. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 20 million people reported experiencing problem gambling behavior many times in 2023.
WPXN News notes…
The Cadillac in Paxton will hold a first responder night on Saturday, March 7th. Doors open at 4 with live music by Tailgate Revival and South Side Social Club at 6pm.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Villas of Hollybrook.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, March 13th from 4-6 pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 6-12.
he World's Smallest St. Patrick's Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 11-1 in downtown Rantoul.
The PBL Choir will hold a murder mystery dinner on Saturday, March 14th at 6pm at Pueblo Lindo in Paxton. Tickets are available by emailing pblchoralboosters at gmail dot com.
The Cissna Park Development Board will host a sock hop on Saturday, March 14th at the Cissna Park American Legion. Doors open at 6, lessons begin at 6:30 with social dancing and live music from 7-10 pm. Cost at the door is $7 for kids, $12 for adults and $20 for couples.
